Gagik Tsarukyan as political actor is evil – Armenian president says

"And this is natural, a personality, who controls necessary mechanisms for participation in political processes, but possesses low intellectual capacity, unwittingly becomes a hindrance for any development," said Sargsyan, when speaking at a meeting of the executive council of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia. 

According to the president, it has long been obvious that the emergence of a bright personality or a bright idea is followed by raging power of darkness, labeling, discrediting, abuse of thought. 

"Sound familiar, does not it? And do not say that this is only used against pro-government politicians. All is well understood by everybody. That Gagik Tsarukyan has great political ambitions is a tragedy, and in some way it is even funny," said Sargsyan. 

"Can you imagine a situation in which Tsarukyan reads a text at the meeting of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, which is followed by questions, including questions from Turkish and Azeri MPs. Yes, it is very difficult to imagine, even horrible. We have not yet digested sarcastic stories of our colleagues about the shameful impressions left by Tsarukyan's several famous foreign visits, " said the president. 

Sargsyan said he has his own share of guilt in this. "For years I would forbid you to speak publicly against all the absurdities of Gagik Tsarukyan. I forbade anyone to mention him by his nickname "Dodi Gago." I called on you to give him time so that he correct his mistakes," said Sargsyan. 

The president stressed that he did not have any personal interest, trying only to cover the obvious problem, not to make it a problem for others. 

"This I did in the first place as the President of the Republic, as the leader of the ruling political force. Tsarukyan's steps, who is head of the second largest faction in the parliament, were important to me, particularly in terms of ensuring political stability in the country and keeping society from the perspective of involvement in a variety of adventures," said the head of state. 

"I've always tried to be patient, forbearing, explaining slowly and calmly and showing the direction. Sometimes he realized it, but sometimes it was impossible to imagine the realities brought to the degree of primitivism, and something did not work. I was wrong, tried to protect many, but did not see that thereby I was harming the entire political field, since the existence of such a political phenomenon in itself distorts the whole field," the president added. 

"I know that you for a long time accused me for the protection of such a political or rather pseudo-political subject, for cultivating him. Yes, it was a mistake, my mistake. My and a few people, but I think their guilt is mine. The error should be corrected, quickly and completely. From now on, no one has the right to stop or delay," said the president. 

Prosperous Armenia is the second largest force in the parliament controlling 36 seats. It was part of coalition governments from 2007 to 2012. Now it positions itself as an alternative political force. -0-